The Ukrainian-Japanese center NTUU “KPI” regularly organizes events which are aimed for the acquaintance of Kiev citizens with the Japanese culture. There was a Japanese New Year holiday Motitsuki in the hall of the National-technical library NTUU “KPI” on the 3d of February 2013. All preparations started from the very morning. And finally everybody heard the drums sounds – the holiday started. All the present were congratulated by the Honorable and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in Ukraine Toichi Sokato and the International Education Center NTUU “KPI” director Borys Arkhypovych Tsyhanok.
After the official opening the preparation of the rice balls “moti” was demonstrated. According to the Japanese traditions it is a whole ritual. Already boiled rice is smashed in the special tope “usu” (on the picture) with the help of a big wooden hammer “kine”. According to the tradition it is allowed to do only by men and is accompanied by the exclamations “joji-sho”. The pastry is formed till rice is be a viscous mass which is used to make small balls. Traditionally moti are eaten with sauces: sweet pasta made of the red haricots. Rice balls are wrapped in the mixture made of the crumbled soya with sugar or add the soya sauce or sauce made of the Japanese garden radishes.
The Ukrainian-Japanese Center NTUU “KPI” for the time of its existence (over 7 years) attracted not only Ukrainian students but also Japanese who live and work in Ukraine. And the event dedicated to the New Year’s holiday Motitsuki had a great success due to their participation and preparation to this event. Its warm and friendly atmosphere proved that this Center became the place which is ready to host everybody who is interested in Japanese traditions. It is the place where you can come for getting acquainted with the culture of the country of a Rising Sun, for education and communication.